Amid wild jubilation, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, yesterday, impeached the embattled Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, over alleged financial misappropriation.

In his stead, the lawmakers chose his deputy, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, representing Apapa Constituency I, making her the first female Speaker in the history of the House.

The Assembly also removed the Clerk, Olalekan Onafeko, and dissolved all House committees.
An elated Speaker Meranda, sworn in at 9 am, said she would unveil her plans next week, saying “I will not be able to talk now.”

Although the former speaker maintained that he was innocent of the accusations, the impeachment ended his 10 years reign as speaker, which makes him the longest speaker of the House since its inception in the Republic.

Obasa brought Onafeko to the assembly; they became close confidants and were behind the ban on journalists covering the activities of the House for over two years now.

Armed security personnel take over Assembly

Following Obasa’s removal, armed security personnel of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Lagos Taskforce, and Lagos Police Command, took over the premises and environs stopping every motorist and person from gaining access to the assembly.

Some miscreants, who tried to invade the complex were intercepted and arrested by vigilant security personnel and clamped into a waiting Black-Maria. Some charms and amulets were also recovered from the miscreants believed to be from Agege Constituency, which Obasa represents.

How Obasa was impeached

The lawmakers moved against Obasa over alleged misappropriation of funds and lack of transparency in the management of the Assembly via a motion under the Matter of Urgent Public Importance by Femi Saheed.

Saheed, citing Section 92(2) (C) of the Constitution, accused Obasa of gross misconduct and poor leadership, which included perpetual lateness to legislative sessions and meetings; high-handedness and lack of regard of honourable members; gross abuse of office and privileges; intimidation and oppression of honourable members by inciting members against one another among others.

He mentioned that Obasa also practiced an authoritarian and undemocratic leadership style in discharging his duties, and therefore moved the motion for his impeachment.

Following the adoption of the motion, the impeachment was made by 32 of the 40-member House through a voice vote.

Subsequently, they chose Meranda as the new speaker and Fatai Mojeed as deputy speaker.

Clerk, Onafeko removed, all committees dissolved

In a related development, the House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Olalekan Onafeko.
He has been replaced by Mr. Abubakar Taiwo Ottun as acting Clerk of the House.

Why we sacked Obasa

Subsequently, Abiodun Tobun, representing Epe Constituency 1, speaking with newsmen, explained why the members changed the leadership of the House.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly declared its decision to impeach Speaker Mudashiru Obasa. The impeachment was a unanimous decision by the lawmakers.

“The lawmakers agreed to take this step to safeguard our image and Lagos State. Change is inevitable, and we felt it was time for a new direction.

“All standing committees and principal office positions have been dissolved. We are determined to work together to elevate the Assembly and deliver on our responsibilities to Lagosians,” Tobun said.

He explained that the Constitution empowers the Assembly to regulate its proceedings, and members reached a consensus to end Obasa’s tenure.

The lawmakers assured the public of their commitment to the progress and stability of Lagos State under the new leadership.

Things to know about Lagos first female speaker, Meranda

Born to the noble family of late Chief Lawal Akapo (Ojora of Lagos) and Princess M. A. Lawal-Akapo of the royal families of Ojora, Aromire, Onitana, Oloto, and Oniru royal families, Mrs. Mojisola Meranda is a sibling to the Oniru of Irulaland, Oba Gbolhan Lawal.

She had her primary education at St. Charles Nursery and Primary school and later on at Randle primary school. She attended Anglican Girls Grammar school and Ansar-Ud-Deen secondary school both in Surulere where she held the posts of the library prefect and secretary press club, she obtained the West African school certificate (WASC) examination in the college.

Obasa’s ‘sins’

Obasa had been accused of financial mismanagement involving N44 billion allocated for vehicles and capital projects over two years.

This development has generated concerns and raised questions about transparency and accountability in the Assembly’s financial operations from critics, including lawmakers and residents.

Alleged vehicle allocations

A significant portion of the controversy had stemmed from the Assembly’s vehicle budget.

According to available official records on the Lagos House of Assembly Budget Performance, in 2023, N30.19 billion was allocated for vehicles, including official cars, utility buses, and backup vehicles. Another N13.33 billion was earmarked for vehicles in 2024.

However, investigations revealed that no vehicles were purchased in 2023, and only a small fraction of the 2024 allocation has been accounted for.

Other questionable capital projects include: N1.1 billion for properties in 2023; N126 million in 2024 for properties in Abuja; N15.65 billion for office construction in 2023 and 2024; and spending N17 billion on the fixing of complex gate.

In his reaction, Obasa described the allegations as “fake news, spurious and funny.”

This was in apparent reaction to claims by a group, Lagos State Anti-Corruption Coalition, accusing the Assembly of spending N17 billion to construct a gate.

Obasa reacts

Obasa said the allegation stemmed from the fear of some people over the 2027 polls which are still more than two years away.

The speaker further debunked the claim that the Assembly spent N200 million on its recently organised Thanksgiving Service for staff.

Obasa said: “It is so funny. How much is the allocation of the Assembly in the whole year that we will decide to spend N17 billion on a gate? They even claimed that we spent N200 million on thanksgiving that did not hold.”

Addressing further claims by the group about the alleged relationship between him and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, Obasa denied attending the latter’s screening and confirmation by the National Assembly.

Build-up to impeachment

Tensions mounted during the recent 2025 budget presentation, when Obasa, in apparent show of power, left party leaders and Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, in rude shock after subjecting them to a long wait.

During the screening of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s nominees for commissioners, Obasa spearheaded opposition to names of nominees which eventually led to rejection, subjecting the governor to ridicule.

It took the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, and APC party leaders to save the situation from snowballing into a heated Executive, Legislative face-off.

How Sanwo-Olu received impeachment news

Meanwhile, Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu skipped yesterday’s Executive Council Meeting as the news of Obasa filtered in.

Vanguard gathered from a credible source that Sanwo-Olu, had stayed back at the state House, Marina, and delegated his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to take charge of the weekly EXCO meeting, while monitoring the impeachment saga as it was unfolding.

Sanwo-Olu, at press time, was yet to make any comment on the development but multiple sources told Vanguard that he welcomed the news with great optimism for a better working relationship after a frosty experience with Obasa’s leadership.

“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” the executive members were said to have echoed during the meeting which was brief as Hamzat adjourned the meeting.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, it was gathered is likely to meet the new speaker and other principal officers soon.